9 th Grade Orientation Meeting: April 7 th, 2014 Mission Statement: The Scholars Academy seeks to provide a diverse group of highly motivated students with a truly world-class secondary education that prepares them for life in a global scholarly community.

 Mr. Guthrie: Lead teacher Scholars Academy  Mr. Donohue, Principal  Mrs. Larkin: AP for Scholars Academy  Mr. Rodriguez: IB Coordinator  Ms. Chain: IB/Scholars Secretary  Mrs. Williams: Scholars Academy Counselor  Mrs. Sahwell: CAP Advisor  Mrs. Shelley Groff: Parent Advisory Board  Scholars Student Board Scholars/IB Office—Room ext

 Blue Contract Form– most have completed; check with Ms. Chain; drop off or mail  Schedule for next year – feeder schools have completed; private/charter need to complete ◦ Get form and complete tonight after general session or call for appointment  Registration and Transfers ◦ Feeder students are automatically futured if in area ◦ Transfer students need form FM3281 from home residence high school and submit to MDCPS ◦ Transfer students cannot be registered until transfer granted by MDCPS

 Colleges are getting much more rigorous in their admission requirements.  Admission has become more highly competitive.  Scholars students should take a rigorous schedule of classes to have the best opportunity for successful acceptance.  Research shows a correlation in completing the HIGHEST level of courses and elite college admission.

When researchers control for as many observable characteristics as are available, they find a consistent positive association between curricular intensity and the following:  Student test scores (Attewell and Domina 2008),  College entry (Long et al. 2012)  Type of college entry (Attewell and Domina 2008)  College grades (Klopfenstein and Thomas 2009)  College graduation, (Adelman 2006; Attewell and Domina 2008)  Wages (Altonji 1995; Rose and Betts 2004). Academic Preparation for College Evidence on the Importance of Academic Rigor in High School Michal Kurlaender, Associate Professor of Education, University of California at Davis Jessica S. Howell, Executive Director of Policy Research, The College Board

HS Diploma Enrolled in College Enrolled in Highly Selective 4 – Year College Basic Math or Pre-Algebra 61.3% 30.4% 0.2% Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II 86.3% 61.5% 2.7% Trigonometry, Statistics, or PreCalculus 98.6% 89.3% 18.9% Calculus 99.6% 97.3% 52.2%  From US DOE Longitudinal Study: Source: Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS : 2002).

 SA students should strongly consider taking the most rigorous courses in all core areas.  Calculus and Physics are highly recommended and required for STEM  AP and IB are preferred over dual-enrollment  Show how you “stand out” in leadership and community service  Test scores are important  College writing ability and character qualities are predicted from your essay

 Must take English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language all 4 years, regardless of FLVS or summer classes  Must complete Math through PreCalculus  Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 9 th grade (AP World History)  Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10 th grade (AP European History)  Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of the 11 th and 12 th grades  IB Diploma students meet the requirements

Scholars Academy students must maintain a minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students who fall beneath this requirement are placed on academic probation and must return to a “B” average to remain in the academy and receive their senior graduation cords.

School begins at 7:20 and ends at 2:20 You must wear uniform and ID at all times at MBSH

You are allowed a maximum of 5 absences in a semester courseand 10 absences in a year course. Because of block schedule, each day’s absence is actually counted as 2 absences missed!

The uniform includes solid red or white tops and black, khaki or blue jean pants or slacks; outerwear should be red or white. Electronic devices (BYOD) are allowed for research only at teacher’s discretion.

SCHEDULE: 8 periods spread over even and odd days ODD: 17:20 – 9:00 3 9:05 – 10: :40 – 12:10 11:15 – 12: :50 – 2:20 EVEN: 27:20 – 9:00 49:05 – 10: :40 – 12:10 11:15 – 12: :50 – 2:20 Lunch at 10:40 – 11:10 or 12:15 – 12:45

Scholars Academy students must meet the highest standards of academic integrity. MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH STUDENT HONOR CODE: I affirm that all work I submit is mine alone, and that I will give proper credit to others when I use their words or ideas. I will neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance on any assignment, and I commit myself to academic conduct that will reflect well upon my school, my community and myself at all times. I understand that there are severe penalties for violating this affirmation.

 Available at the school website student tab. ◦ Must complete the reading and take annotated notes which can be used during the essay writing the first week of school.  Eng I and Eng I Honors Choices (All Students must read one of the four choices) :  1) The Farming of Bones – Edwidge Danticat  2) The Alchemist - Paolo Coelho  3) Anthem- Ayn Rand  4) Days of Grace - Arthur Ashe

 Registration hours from 7 – 11 AM ◦ Contact the registrar for additional information  DO THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT!  FLVS classes require counselor approval and must be completed prior to enrollment to be placed in the proper class next year.  Summer orientation and pizza lunch on Monday, August 11 th, 9am –noon ◦ Get schedule ◦ Get acquainted, find classrooms, meet peer-tutors

 Available at the MBSH website: miamibeachhigh.schoolwires.com

Students needing schedules can work on them now. Contact the Scholars Office or us individually for other questions… ext. 2708